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Tom Cruise Flies the Coop

Tom Cruise isn't going to win the Father of the Year awards. Leaving his baby-mama, Katie Holmes, at home with their newborn, he hopped a jet to Rome today to promote Mission Impossible III. He claimed Katie pushed him to go forward with the trip:

"I wasn't going to come and then Kate said, you know, 'Go. Go.' ... So I'm here. And I'll be here for a few hours and then I'll get back on an airplane and go back home to Kate and Suri."

Something tells us it was one of those conversations where your girlfriend is saying you should go, but really means, don't even think about it. Or it would have been, if he hadn't upped Katie's dosage first.

We're sure that the other stars of the film--Keri Russell, Ving Rhames and Lawrence Fishburne--were just thrilled that Cruise showed up. Maybe he brought them some placenta leftovers?

Related Stories:
·   Papa Cruise Makes Surprise Showing [AP]
·   Cruise's Mission Impossible? Not diaper duty [Reuters]

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Miss Italy Pageant Based Solely on Bets, Bruce Willis

Like gambling and hot Italian women? Get over to the Miss Italy Pageant in Rome on the 19th and bring some money. The Italian government has bent the rules just this once (riiiiiiight) and is allowing betting on the pageant legally for the first time.

And as we reported previously, Bruce Willis himself is the lead judge. We assume he had something to do with loosening the reins on the whole betting bit.

Of course contestants are pissed:

"We're people, not objects or, worse, animals," complained Anna Prete, the "Miss Calabria" from the southern region of the same name and one of the many finalists unhappy with the government-sponsored scheme."Betting on Miss Italy is really bad,"

Really bad? That's all she can think up? Just because she doesn't have enough saved up to pay Bruce off up front doesn't mean she should cry about it. jeez.

Related Stories:
·   Miss Italy contestants say betting plan a non-starter [Yahoo]
·   Bruce Willis, Beauty Pageant Judge [Jaunted]

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Bruce Willis, Beauty Pageant Judge

Seems things have really begun a downward spiral for Bruce Willis, and it looks like it's going to be a fantastic trainwreck to watch.

Willis will head the jury at this year's Miss Italy Pageant, to be broadcast on Italian TV on Sept. 19th. The winner is chosen through a combination of votes from the jury and the public, which follows the pageant on national television--or basically whoever Bruce wants to sleep with will probably get the crown we would think.

The best part--why he was chosen:

"Bruce Willis was chosen because he is such a strong star, one who really has an eye for Italian women and is popular among both women and men," Conti said.

Um, okay, we're not sure where to begin...A 'strong star'? popular 'among women and men'? Interesting. Bruce, we hope this isn't some sort of dirty old man gesture because you're feeling inadequate that your ex is with a hot, uber successful  27-year-old. Nah, ya think?

Related Stories:
·   Daily Dish: Willis to Help Select Miss Italy [SF Gate]
·   Bruce Willis to Crown Miss Italy [ANSA]
·   People in the News [Foster's]

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End of the Day Deal

Getting paid manana? We're not saying to blow it all as soon as you've got it, but there are some great deals to European cities on Gate1 Travel for Thanksgiving week that should be had.

One of these is a six-day stay in Rome at the five-star Radisson SAS hotel. Known for its sleek, modern, minimalist design (although not its loclation), it's apparently a hit, issues and all, according to this TripAdvisor review:

Staff was friendly, courteous and responsive, a call to check my CD player was answered and repaired in minutes, and a non-working room key replaced on the spot with TWO keys. The exercise room and spa area are more typical of a resort, and the top floor outdoor bar was the perfect space to entertain friends, what a view! Stayed for 4 very hot Roman days...and the rooftop pool came in very handy.

That goes for $729 w/airfare from NY and will get you out of town just as the in-laws are arriving. Something tells us you won't miss this year's jello mold that badly.

Related Stories:
·   Thanksgiving in Italy from $499 [Frommers]
·   Radisson SAS Reviews [TripAdvisor]

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De-Stoned Rome

One of the best things about European cities is their crooked cobblestone streets. Sure, they aren't fun in heels, but they're way more unique and charming then 6th Ave. Traffic's forced to slow down and rain hits them just so.

Rome is the first to crush the fantasy. USA Today reports that the city has begun to pave over many of its ancient basalt cobblestones with boring asphalt.

Replacing and repairing them has become too costly and labor intensive and every car and scooter that passes over them triggers vibrations that have already damaged frescoes and structures.

We say divert traffic, reinforce them, whatever you have to do...the next time we go to Via dei Fori Imperiali (it's in front of the Coliseum peeps, we're sure you've been there) it better be crazy bumpy.

Related Stories:
·   End of an Era: Rome Replaces Cobblestones With Asphalt [USA Today]